Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger is wishing France the worst of
luck in the World Cup.

Anger management: Sean St Ledger (left) fears France may go on and win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after qualifying through dubious meansPhoto: AP

By Rob Stewart

11:00PM GMT 27 Nov 2009

St Ledger is hoping France end up in a possible 'Group of Death' when the draw for the World Cup finals is made next Friday in Cape Town but still fears the 1998 champions will go on to win the tournament.

The defender is still smarting from his country's controversial elimination from the play-offs but despite needing a handball by Thierry Henry to see off the Irish in Paris, he is refusing to bet against French celebrations in South Africa next summer.

“I hope France get put in the toughest group possible but I can imagine France now winning the World Cup,” said St Ledger, who is on loan at Middlesbrough.

“Everyone has said they are not a great team but they have got great players and it would be ironic if they won the World Cup.

“I have got maximum respect for them as footballers and Nicolas Anelka is the best player I've ever played again, that's why he is at Chelsea and Henry is still a great player, you can never take that away from him.

“It is hard to forget about. You look in papers and see the line up for the World Cup and it hurts still, but the more games I play the better it will get. I have to try and turn my attention to that.

“I will watch it as I am a football fan and it's the greatest tournament in the world but when France play I won't be supporting them.”

St Ledger, who has been loaned to Boro by Preston with a view to a permanent £4.5 million transfer, is refusing to rule out a last-minute reprieve by the football authorities for the Irish.

“I would say it is something I'll never forget - it is something you keep seeing reminders of it,” added Birmingham-born St Ledger, 24, who will return to his first club, Peterborough, on Saturday with Gordon Strachan's side.

“I saw on TV a clip of Henry getting booed and it brings it all back. To this day I still can't believe the linesman and referee did not see it. I am still clinging on to this meeting of Fifa and they will say put back the World Cup draw and there is going to be a replay.

“There is a part of me that is clinging on to it, but realistically that is not going to happen, but let's see what happens with this meeting. It will be interesting. We will see what [Fifa president] Sepp Blatter has to say.

“He has got a big opinion on everything and yet he has come out with nothing since the game, other than a statement from Fifa. There has been no personal statement from him and that has surprised me to be honest.

“We are still clinging to that hope, The FIA have appealed. The boss said he doesn't think it will happen and Robbie Keane has as well. Thierry has said, 'Let's replay it' but whether he has said that now because the game won't be played I don't know.

“It was an easy thing to say but at the same time it was courageous of him to say sorry and you have to respect him as a man for saying sorry. Some of the abuse has been over the top. If it had been one of our players we would have been backing our players, so if you look at it in that way the criticism has been a bit harsh."